Brand Name
Stieva-A
Common Name
tretinoin (acne)
In this drug factsheet:
DIN (Drug Identification Number)| 00657204 | STIEVA-A 0.01% CREAM |
| 00578576 | STIEVA-A 0.025% CREAM |
| 00587966 | STIEVA-A 0.025% GEL |
| 00578568 | STIEVA-A 0.025% SOLUTION |
| 00518182 | STIEVA-A 0.05% CREAM |
| 00641863 | STIEVA-A 0.05% GEL |
| 00662348 | STIEVA-A 0.1% FORTE CREAM |
How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Tretinoin is used to treat certain types of acne. Tretinoin helps acne
by causing the skin's outer layer to grow more quickly and be replaced with
new skin cells, which helps to reduce the formation of blackheads, whiteheads,
and other acne lesions. It may take up to 2 to 4 weeks to see improvement in
your acne and the full effect of this medication may not be seen until 6 to
12 weeks.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than the ones listed in these drug information articles. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are using this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
How should I use this medication?
Tretinoin should be applied once daily at bedtime to lightly cover the areas being treated. The area of application should be thoroughly cleansed with a mild soap and water and patted dry with a soft towel. Wait about 20 minutes before applying the medication so your skin is completely dry. The treated area should be washed no more than twice daily. Apply a small amount (about the size of a pea) on your fingertip and spread it on the skin where acne lesions appear. Use only enough medication to cover the affected areas lightly. Avoid rubbing the medication into the skin.
Keep the medication away from the corners of the nose, mouth, eyes, and mucous
membranes. Avoid applying excess amounts as the medication may run into the
eyes and other areas that should be avoided. Avoid areas of the skin where you
have other problems such as eczema, severely inflamed skin, or open skin lesions.
After you wash your skin in the morning, it is recommended that you apply a
moisturizer or a moisturizer with sunscreen that will not aggravate your acne.
After 3 to 6 weeks of treatment, you may notice new blemishes. Keep using this medication as you will notice a gradual improvement over 6 to 12 weeks.
Prolonged exposure to sunlight, sunlamps, wind, and cold should be avoided during treatment. If exposure to the sun is unavoidable, use a sunscreen with minimum SPF 15 and wear protective clothing.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as
body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor
has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change
the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important to apply this medication on a regular schedule and exactly
as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue
with your regular dosing schedule. Do not apply a double dose to make up
for a missed one.
Store this medication at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children. Gel products are flammable and should be kept away from heat of flame.
This medication is available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms listed here. The forms available for the specific brand you have searched are listed under "What form(s) does this medication come in?"
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
0.01% Cream
Each gram of cream contains 0.01% tretinoin in an emollient cream base. Nonmedicinal ingredients: butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, cetyl alcohol, edetate disodium, isopropyl palmitate, methyl paraben, prolyoxyl 40 stearate, propyl paraben, propylene glycol, purified water, stearic acid, stearyl alcohol, and white petrolatum.
0.025% Cream
Each gram of cream contains 0.025% tretinoin in an emollient cream base. Nonmedicinal ingredients: butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, cetyl alcohol, edetate disodium, isopropyl palmitate, methyl paraben, prolyoxyl 40 stearate, propyl paraben, propylene glycol, purified water, stearic acid, stearyl alcohol, and white petrolatum.
0.05% Cream
Each gram of cream contains 0.05% tretinoin in an emollient cream base. Nonmedicinal ingredients: butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, cetyl alcohol, edetate disodium, isopropyl palmitate, methyl paraben, prolyoxyl 40 stearate, propyl paraben, propylene glycol, purified water, stearic acid, stearyl alcohol, and white petrolatum.
Forte cream
Each gram of cream contains 0.1% tretinoin. Nonmedicinal ingredients: butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, cetyl alcohol, edetate disodium, isopropyl palmitate, methyl paraben, prolyoxyl 40 stearate, propyl paraben, propylene glycol, purified water, stearic acid, stearyl alcohol, and white petrolatum.
0.05% Gel
Each gram of gel contains 0.05% tretinoin in an alcohol base gel. Nonmedicinal ingredients: anhydrous alcohol, butylated hydroxytoluene, and hydroxypropyl cellulose.
0.025% Gel
Each gram of gel contains 0.025% tretinoin in an alcohol base gel. Nonmedicinal ingredients: anhydrous alcohol, butylated hydroxytoluene, and hydroxypropyl cellulose.
0.025% Solution
Each mL of solution contains 0.025% tretinoin. Nonmedicinal ingredients: anhydrous alcohol, butylated hydroxytoluene, and hydroxypropyl cellulose.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to tretinoin or any ingredients
of the medication.
